Man created fake FB profile of TV channel, arrested

Using the channel’s name and logo, the profile holder had claimed to be a producer with the channel. As this was not true, their representatives lodged a complaint with us in November 2015. M RAJKUMAR, deputy commissioner of police (cyber)

MUMBAI: Officers with the Bandra-kurla Complex cyber police station on Saturday arrested a 30-year-old executive with a leading company for allegedly creating a bogus Facebook profile in the name of television channel Star Plus.

The police said the accused, in order to make a quick buck, tried to lure people by claiming that he could, for a price, have the channel broadcast their content.

The police said that the accused is a commerce graduate, and resides in Versova. He works as a customer relationship manager with a leading company.

Police said the complainant, who is the legal representative of Star Plus, stated in his complaint that in November 2015, their marketing executives came across a profile on Facebook which had the channel’s official logo.

“Using the channel’s name and logo, the profile holder had claimed to be a producer with the channel. As this was not true, their representatives lodged a complaint with us in November 2015, so as prevent further misuse of the channel’s name,” said deputy commissioner of police (cyber) M Rajkumar.

The DCP said that the accused was arrested on Saturday.

During interrogation the accused claimed that he had some contacts in the channel.

He intended to find clients who wanted their programme, event, or content, to be broadcast on the channel, and then connect them to Star Plus for a fixed commission.

The accused used a temporary, bogus email id to create the fake profile, police said.

The accused received a response from around 50 people.

But the channel says that it has not authorised him to represent clients before it.

Neither could the accused strike a deal for anyone, nor did he cheat anyone till the date he was arrested. He has been booked under section 66C of the Information Technology Act for identity theft.